Do you shoot the robber if he has a toy gun??

This is a discussion on Do you shoot the robber if he has a toy gun?? within the Carry & Defensive Scenarios forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; Originally Posted by mcp1810
Ever see what a super soaker loaded with battery acid can do?
He has put himself in a position where he ...

Ever see what a super soaker loaded with battery acid can do?
He has put himself in a position where he may encounter deadly force. Am I to assume that he is irrational and voluntarily created that situation and entered into it without taking steps to ensure his own safety?
What is it they say about underestimating your opponent?

Wow! Now I can kill anyone who threatens me with a SuperSoaker(tm), because it may contain battery acid. Yippee! Hand me another full magazine! Where's that stupid neighbor kid?

Too many replies to check up on, but my answers to the basic questions in the threads initial statement: 1. How do you know it is a toy? Did you ask the idiot? 2. Shoot him?--if he points it at me--yes indeed.

In such a case, I would have a talk with this fellow and negotiate for the situation.
Me: This is not a real gun.
Robber: You think you are a smart ass. I’ll kill you stay back.
Me: I know because (take out my gun), this is a real gun and If you do any stupid, then I’ll shoot you. Now slowly put that gun down and raise your hands.
Robber **** scared of me, puts his gun down and people in bank catch hold of him and we wait for the Police. What do you think about this, guys.

Hey Stealth: Nice to know you are so sure it is a toy. If you are wrong, bye bye. If you were right he made his choice and does not have to make it anymore. You actually are going to somehow "investigate" whether it is a toy or not when it is pointed at you as the schmoe asks for your wallet or approaches you in a menacing manner and you cannot retreat? I surely hope you jest.

In a situation like the OP described, I'm not so sure I could honestly say that I could identify the gun the robber is holding as a "toy." When stress and adrenaline come into play like that, its going to mess with your "investigative" skills (being able to see small details). Been there, done that, couldn't see a full sized pickup truck twenty feet from me. I've seen plenty of real guns that have been painted like toy guns. There is even some discussions about some crazy guy intentionally painting the tip of his AK47 pistol orange and walking around in a state park with it until park rangers noticed, so an orange tip does not automatically mean "toy" for me.
Just don't know until it happens for me, but I'd definately be on high alert until its over.

I would think that any of us have a lot more to worry about than if it is a toy or not, when someone points a "gun" at us. It is one thing to be discussing this issue at our computers and a very different thing in the real world if the 7 yards and maybe 2 or 3 seconds, if that much, are your decision-making parameters for protecting yourself. I'll be damned if the thought of a "toy" will even enter my mind under these circimstances.

Absolutely not. My carry would not even leave the holster. Unless the situation escalates and he produces a real weapon and is not an immediate threat to me or anyone around then there is no reason for me to draw a weapon that I have sworn to use only in the face of imminent death or bodily harm to myself or those I love.

If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

I dont think I would make light of the fact I knew the gun to be fake. If he knows that you know its a fake then he probably thinks you wont fire your weapon. Knowing he's been busted with the gun, he grabs a bystander and lays a blade to their throat. Now you are knee deep in a hostage situation. this could become a real ugly situation in a hurry.

Hmmm, let's see, it's dark out and two young thugs approach you with a "gun" in their hand. What do you do?, what do you do? Turns out it was a BB gun. This would've been bad news for them if they had picked the "wrong" victim.

You only carry concealed to protect yourself and family. You don't gain the responsibilities of a LEO by virtue of being armed. You have no responsibility whatsoever to stop the bank robbery. If he shows the weapon and the teller complies, he may leave the bank without firing.

Can you legally shoot in a pre-emptive manner? If a bad guy comes in with a realistic weapon, do you immediately shoot or do you try to take a position for yourself, and family, that would allow you to shoot if you are threatened? Better to be judged by 12.... but I think you're on shaky legal ground if you initiate the shooting, especially if anyone else gets hit in the crossfire...